When a single family owns a car, I sometimes have a lingering doubt about the meaningfulness of that history. It can mean so many things, such as the heirs receiving a car and simply never registering it in their names – hence, one family ownership. But when a family continues enjoying a car through different phases of ownership across generations, that’s pretty special – and it ensures the next owner is buying an heirloom, not an unwanted inheritance. This 1985 Toyota Celica Supra P-Type has been with same family since new, and has resided in California and South Africa. Find it here on eBay with bids to $9,100 and the reserve unmet.
The Supra still wears original paint, and interestingly, it sports some very old rubber (the tires are totally period-correct, admittedly, but they are seriously ancient.) The P-Type is the one to own, as it added the gorgeous fender flares, front and rear spoilers, and supremely comfortable sport seats. The super cool factory decals are another highlight, and thankfully, they are still present and accounted for here. This generation of the Supra wasn’t the full-blown sports car it would become, but it was a “sporting” car that offered near-bulletproof reliability.
If you were accustomed to British or American sports or performance models, it was a revelation. This was a car you could drive in anger and it wouldn’t break. It just worked every time, and it still looked menacing while delivering unflappable reliability. The seller doesn’t tell us much about its history in Johannesburg, but I’m assuming it means the family relocated and they loved the Supra so much that it made the journey with them. That’s the kind of loyalty the Supra inspired, however, so it’s entirely surprising that it became a globetrotter. The interior remains in outstanding condition, just like the outside, with those wonderful sport seats still in incredible condition.
The 5M-GE 2.8-liter inline-six is a wonderful engine, albeit one that can occasionally suffer from head gasket issues. In 1985, horsepower jumped to 161 b.h.p. and 169 lb.-ft. of torque, and you got that regardless of the automatic or 5-speed manual. This car having the automatic may be a let-down to some of you, but given this was still a grand tourer versus a raw sports car, it suits the Supra’s personality just fine. The real point to this example has less to do with the transmission and more the high level of preservation it enjoys, thanks to its long-term single family ownership. A fair reserve is likely around $10,000, so hopefully, the next owner will keep its legacy of preservation and stock configuration alive.
Nice car , wrong transmission . My old girlfriend bought a new 1985 Celica GTS with 5 speed . Same color combo. Fun car to drive.. The rear spoiler on this one looks wrong. I wonder if the air condoning system is still cooling.
On of my all-time favs, what a great car. Wish it was a 5 speed. It has the correct spoiler for an 85-86.
When I graduated college I really wanted one of these…. I stuck with the 78 Cutlas Supreme coupe due to paying off bills… Good luck to the new owner … I also would prefer the manual for this too.
I bought a wrecked 85 Supra for $1000. All I wanted was its seats. I made new frame rails and installed them in my 1987 El Camino. The burgundy velour is a perfect color match. They are power so that is a plus. I installed seat heaters for those cold South Texas mornings! All in all.. one of the best handling upgrades i’ve done.
I remember as a kid really liking these, then the next (3rd) gen came out in 1986 and these suddenly looked very dated and clumsy. Still like the ‘86-92 models better, but these have grown on me again. Very nice car, even in automatic.
Great cars! The auto is probably a bit sluggish for the sporty car. These cars were so over-engineered and bulletproof. GLWTS
Went to Longo Toyota determined to buy a new ’85 Supra. Absolutely loved everything about it even the auto transmission as it had three settings: normal , economy and power. When I mentioned to the salesman that I was engaged and hoped to start a family soon, he said he didn’t want my new wife to ask me to sell it in two years if we had kids. He wanted me to drive the new Cressida sedan. He said same chassis, suspension, engine and tranny. I couldn’t believe it drove just like the Supra but with plusher seats. After two test drives back to back with my fiancé, we chose the Cressida! Best car I ever owned!! We had it for 22 years and 221K miles and not one issue!!👍👍
Was never big into Japanese sports cars but I always thought these were pretty slick, cool looking cars. Being a 1 owner, 41yo vehicle is a rarity these days and it does look like it was very well taken care of despite it’s age. These have been climbing in value lately, especially for really well preserved specimens. I actually prefer the boxier, harder edge design of the 85′ and earlier models. I’d definitely want a stick if I had one though.
My first car at 16 was a first year 1971 Celica ST, bought it from my grandfather for $1000, worked at Wendy’s to pay for it and insurance. Later after a friend totaled it, I was in something else but spotted an 1981 Supra at a local Chevy dealer, but it was automatic, so I passed. I remember these when they came out and was wowed but I hadn’t found a career yet and couldn’t afford it.
Loved the styling of these when they came out along with it’s baby brother, the Celica GTS.
Toyota hit a home run with this style in my book.
Ended at $10,322.
Reserve Not met.
18 bids.
Relisted and currently at $6511, 5 bids, 8 days remaining.